Snorkel Tips to help you snorkel with ease

Snorkel tips to help you learn how to snorkel so that you can see the Great Barrier Reef.

It can be enjoyed by people of all ages, even with limited swimming ability. The crystal clear waters of the Great Barrier Reef promise exceptional conditions for snorkel trips!

Snorkelling Equipment

  • Mask

  • Snorkel

  • Fins

  • Wetsuit

The key to successful snorkelling is relaxation in the water. Practice will improve your skills and comfort in the water.

Snorkelling is the practice of swimming at the surface of a body of water while equipped with a mask and a short tube called a snorkel.

Snorkelling requires no special training, only the ability to swim and breathe through a snorkel.

On many snorkel trips and certainly the ones we recommend, the crew onboard the boats will be pleased to assist you in learning to snorkel while they help you in the water.

See our snorkel tips.

Snorkel Tip number one

To remove excess water when you are at the surface, use the “blast”, the method by exhaling forcefully into the mouthpiece of the snorkel.

Next, place your arms at your sides or out in front of you and remain as streamlined as possible. Now propel yourself with a smooth kick motion and avoid continuing the upstrokes of your smooth kick cycle to the point that your fins break the surface.

Snorkel Tip number two

How to equalize – Every few feet as you descend. However, do not force equalization. Do not descend any more profound than you can clear your ears.

Snorkel tip number 3

Always snorkel with a buddy. If you become tired, your buddy can assist you back to the boat or shore.

Snorkel tip number 4

Do not hold your breath for long dives underwater. Extended breath holding can cause blackouts that can lead to drowning.

Do not dive more profound than the maximum depth in which you can feel the pressure in your ears.

Never dive headfirst into the water when wearing a mask, as the lens is not designed to withstand this kind of impact.

Snorkelling with your head at a 45-degree angle helps to eliminate water entering the top of your snorkel by keeping your snorkel safely above the water.

Always exit the water when you are cold or tired.

Do not dive below the water surface if you have a head cold. Congestion makes equalizing your ears very difficult.

Do not use snorkelling equipment as a tool to learn to swim. Snorkelling is best suited to people who can maintain a basic level of swimming.

Next, see our how to use a mask page.